Looking for High-Quality, Old-School Angsty Romance Set Entirely in Ancient Times 求高质量复古虐恋言情，纯古言的

1. 1 掌 The Darling in the Palm 掌上娇娇 Zhi Yun支云Ancient Romance907k WordsCompleted [Print edition preorder opens July 17] [Film and TV rights sold] [Reader's guide: sweet romance, devoted couple, feel-good wish fulfillment, with clever schemes and political intrigue, many clues and details, and a large cast of well-developed characters. The heroine never gets the short end of the stick; anything that doesn't make sense will be explained later] Prince Xuan, He Junting. In the novel Devoted to the Imperial Consort, the author wrote of how he slaughtered the entire Northern Di co 82.1kReads9.5Score9.3k14d adds

   Reader note

   Family, does anyone know this? [Shocked][Shocked] I recently discovered a super good historical romance novel called "Jiao Gu". The female lead is a modern office worker who transmigrates into a book as a villainous supporting character with the same name. She's unloved by her father and brother, and even disliked by her crush. She decisively leaves the scumbag and sets her sights on the powerful but prematurely deceased Prince Xuan, He Junting, hoping to marry him and become a wealthy widow.

2. 2 夺 Stealing My Sister-in-Law as His Bride, the Ruthless Marquis Closes In at Every Turn 夺娶长嫂，疯批军侯步步紧逼 Bright, Gentle Laughter笑语晏晏Ancient Romance434k WordsCompleted Ling Xiao returned home covered in military glory, only to hear that his wanton sister-in-law had conspired with another man to kill his sickly elder brother. He looked at her in her plain white mourning clothes, slender as a willow, her brows dark as ink, kneeling before the coffin and weeping so pitifully that anyone would feel for her. He raised her gaunt chin with the tip of his sword, his killing intent suddenly flaring. “You seductive vixen, you deserve to die!” - Later, she proved her inn 67.9kReads9.1Score13k14d adds
3. 3 王 My Lord, the Princess Consort Says She’ll Never See You Again 王爷，王妃说此生不复相见 Jing Mo旌墨Ancient Romance421k WordsCompleted [Historical Romance Tragedy + No Getting Back Together + Second Male Lead Takes the Lead] A tragic romance! A tragic romance! A tragic romance! Ye Chuyan loved Pei Xiuyan for twelve years, but never moved him in the slightest. All she got in return was Pei Xiuyan wiping out the Ye family and having her father and brothers tortured to death over three days in the snow. At last, she understood: for the rest of her life, there would be no love between her and Pei Xiuyan, only hatred, until one o 26.7kReads9.3Score1.7k14d adds

   Reader note

   The audience wept uncontrollably, while the protagonist met his demise. Next, we'll see some protagonists in tragic love stories, where the audience's tears are their spoils. Watch as their ex-wives abuse their wives, leading to their demise! See if these characters prefer physical or emotional torment, or both. Interested readers can click on the book below to begin their reading journey.

4. 4 暴 After Beating Her, the Bloodthirsty Prince Regretted It 暴打她后，嗜血王爷后悔了 Shui Huan水欢Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted For the sake of the woman he loved, he cruelly humiliated her, grinding her dignity and body beneath his heel until they were crushed to dust. He even ran a sword through her chest. As she lay near death, he curled his lips into a bewitching smile. “Let her live or die as she will. This prince doesn't care!” But when she resolutely left the prince's manor, he came to his senses. She ran, and he chased after her. “Wherever you go, this prince will go too!” She raised a knife, and he offered her h 4.5kReads8.7Score34714d adds
5. 5 冷 A Cold, Tormented Romance 冷爱虐恋 With Warmth and Sweetness与温甜Ancient Romance137k WordsCompleted Watching helplessly as the woman he loves marries another man, consumed by the pain of being powerless... They love each other, but she cannot marry him. For the sake of her family’s martial arts manual, she has no choice but to wed a renowned hero of the martial world, setting off a torturous love triangle... —Reads—Score—14d adds
6. 6 虐 Tortured by Love, Forced to Submit 虐爱，被迫承欢 Xi Xue息雪Ancient Romance273k WordsCompleted Legend has it that the Twin Lovers' Gu is distilled from the enchanting love flower. If someone poisoned by it betrays the person who planted the Gu, they will be cursed. Once the poison spreads through their entire body, they will die in agony. Their souls will then be utterly destroyed, doomed to wander the underworld and suffer all the torments of the mortal world. It is said that if they are given another life, as long as their bond remains and their ill-fated love endures, he and she will 311Reads—Score—14d adds
7. 7 王 Your Highness, Stop Tormenting Her: The Princess Consort Has Given Up 王爷别虐了，王妃已经死心了 Redwood North红木北Ancient Romance450k WordsCompleted Du Qingxiang had been married to Shen Luohan for three years. In return, she was forced to watch him bring a new bride into the household, then made to suffer a miscarriage after he personally forced her to drink an abortifacient that would leave her barren. At last, she understood. To him, her love was worthless, something so filthy he wouldn’t even want it beneath his feet. Later, Shen Luohan searched everywhere for renowned doctors on her behalf, suffered serious injuries for her, and said al 136Reads5.4Score—14d adds
8. 8 虐 After Torturing His Princess to Death, the Sickly Prince Went Mad 虐死王妃后，病娇王爷他疯了 Shui Jun水君Ancient Romance475k WordsCompleted She married him and became his consort, believing they would make a perfect match. She never expected their marriage to become a living hell. Again and again, he met her with cold words and hurt her through one misunderstanding after another. At last, when Qin Duo forced her to lose their child, Shen Qingge gave up. She faked her death and fled, only to fall into his hands once more. When they met again, Qin Duo held Shen Qingge in his arms, his voice choked with tears. “Please, come back…” She 407Reads7.9Score—14d adds
9. 9 嫁 After Marrying the Chancellor, I Got Thrown Into a Tormenting Romance 嫁给丞相后，打开了深情虐恋剧本 Helian Linyue赫连霖月Ancient Romance200k WordsCompleted Cold on the outside, warm on the inside, sharp-tongued and fiercely loyal hero × sweet, soft, and growing heroine Shen Muzhi × Gu Yanci [Both virgins + happy ending] After her parents died under mysterious circumstances, she thought marrying into the prime minister’s household would mean that man would save her. Instead, she fell into another pit of fire: kidnapped, left with amnesia, used… She endured one hardship after another. The man searched desperately for three years, but couldn’t find th 8Reads—Score—14d adds
10. 10 我 Torturing My Coldhearted Lover in Ancient Times 我在古代虐恋冷情郎 Laugh at Me Like a Dog笑我像狗Ancient Romance20k WordsCompleted I Torture a Cold-Hearted Lover in Ancient Times —Reads—Score—14d adds
11. 11 弃 The Innocent Abandoned Consort: Prince, Please Let Me Go 弃妃无罪：王爷请你放过我 Chen Youning宸有凝Ancient Romance500k WordsCompleted [Prince + imperial power + tragic romance] At first, he grabs her by the throat, his expression sinister and alluring. “How much truth is there in those tears of yours? Cheng Luoxun, I’ll make you pay in blood.” In the end, she fulfills his wish, barely conscious and almost lifeless. When the peach blossoms bloom in the third month, he gently takes her hand. “You said I didn’t love you, but you never once asked me if I did.” The candles flicker dimly in the room. He looks up, and there is nothin 1kReads8.0Score10114d adds
12. 12 别 Others Torture Their Wives, I Torture My Husband 别人虐妻，我虐夫 Plucking a Branch Though It Bears No Flowers无花空折枝Ancient Romance14k WordsCompleted Others Torture Their Wives, I Torture My Husband 20Reads—Score—14d adds
13. 13 腹 The Tyrant Emperor’s Mistaken Favor: The Tortured Consort 腹黑帝王的错宠：虐妃 Mu Qi慕齐Ancient Romance407k WordsCompleted Once the consort of a kingdom, she has fallen into slavery. Her country is destroyed, her family lost, and tears fill her eyes. Beneath the red bridal curtains lie three thousand sorrows. She was once a famed imperial consort, hidden away deep in the palace. When her kingdom fell, she bore the humiliating mark of chastity and smiled as she gave herself to an enemy general. With her loved ones dead and her country in ruins, she is swept back into the palace, caught up in schemes and struggles for 20Reads5.3Score—14d adds
14. 14 虐 A Lifetime of Tormenting Love 虐爱一生 Bright Moon Shines Brightly明月昭昭Modern Romance993k WordsCompleted The greatest upheaval of my life came when I miscarried and my husband cheated on me with my cousin. In an instant, my family was shattered, and my life was at its lowest point. That was when he appeared by my side. No one was allowed to bully her. He gave her the finest things in the world, warming her with absolute dominance, yet also freezing her with absolute coldness. Was he an angel or a demon, here to save her or destroy her? No one could say. But no matter what, I would stay by your side 1Reads—Score—14d adds
15. 15 我 Torturing a Gallant Hero in Ancient Times 我在古代虐恋大侠 Listening to Rain Beneath the Maple Leaves听雨枫叶Ancient Romance18k WordsCompleted I Torture a Hero in Ancient Times —Reads—Score—14d adds
16. 16 王 The Prince Tormented Me a Thousand Times, Yet Expects Me to Be His First Love 王爷虐我千百遍，还妄想我当初恋 Washed Clean of River Haze洗尽江烟Ancient Romance403k WordsCompleted [Domineering possession, forced love, two strong leads: The hero is a bastard, unhinged, sinister, and possessive early on. Driven by hatred, he takes the heroine by force. As his pursuit consumes him, she takes over his heart and mind, and he eventually loves her with all his heart. The heroine is a calculating beauty, seized by a dark, scheming prince. She plans every step, fights back from the brink, and gets the hero completely under her thumb. Their love and hatred twist together amid war a 469Reads8.2Score—14d adds
17. 17 快 Quick Transmigration: Becoming the White Moonlight Who Makes Powerful Men Weep 快穿：穿成虐哭大佬的白月光 Miss Cat一只猫小姐Modern Romance2.4M WordsCompleted At first, none of them liked her. Later, she became the unreachable first love in their hearts! A scum-trashing Mary Sue romance, with regretful exes chasing their wives! After cultivating for a thousand years, the parasitic vine spirit Si Si finally succeeds in ascending. But during the Ascension Ceremony, her superior gets her in trouble. The Heavenly Dao orders her to help cannon-fodder supporting heroines in three thousand worlds fulfill their wishes. Only after earning enough merit can she 11.8kReads9.1Score82014d adds

    Reader note

    Every aspect of the story is heartbreaking! Our Sisi's way of torturing the male lead is a piece of cake!

18. 18 行 Late in the Day 行止晚 Zhi Er织尔Ancient Romance138k WordsCompleted [Devoted love + emperor and empress + tragic palace romance] 145,000 readers gave it top ratings, and countless readers cried their way through it! The year’s breakout historical romance, a heartache readers can’t forget. A clear-eyed, sweet empress VS a proud emperor whose love never wavers. Born into the imperial family, how can everything ever go as you wish? May we remain together forever, and may I keep you safe and at peace. A gentleman’s word is his bond. In a daze, I saw the moon rise. 25.7kReads9.6Score3.3k14d adds

    Reader note

    📚 **Key Highlights of "Walking and Stopping at Dusk"** 1️⃣ **Character Contrast and Awkwardness** - A seemingly soft and cute but actually clear-headed Empress vs. An arrogant and sharp-tongued Emperor who secretly dotes on his wife - They entered the palace at the age of ten and grew up together, from childhood sweethearts to a power struggle between Emperor and Empress. 2️⃣ **High-Energy Plots** ▶ Carrying his wife on his back to the lantern festival on a snowy night (the Emperor willingly becomes a human sedan chair) ▶ Hiding a prescription under a memorial (a tragic plot involving mutual concealment) ▶ "Speaking sweet nothings while covering one's eyes" (an upgraded version of the classic "covering one's mouth" scene) 3️⃣ **Writing Style Features** ✓ Sweet and bittersweet: Sugar with shards of glass ✓ Attention to detail: Even the sound of clothes brushing against a jade pendant hides foreshadowing ✓ Clash of ancient and modern: Modern lines like "This Empress is going on strike" 💡 **Suitable Readers** ✔️ Those who enjoy political intrigue and romance like "East Palace" and "Royal Nirvana" ✔️ Looking for fans of historical romance novels who believe that "the emperor's character isn't expressionless"✔️ And brave enough to laugh one minute and cry the next (feel free to contact me if you need specific chapter spoilers or excerpts from the original text~)

19. 19 谢 The Xie Family's Short-Lived Son Has Lived to a Hundred 谢家的短命鬼长命百岁了 Yi Ran怡然Ancient Romance2.0M WordsCompleted [Screen adaptation rights sold] The lid of a dead person's coffin won't lie flat because they had an unresolved longing in life. Given time, that longing turns into a demonic obsession, and unless it is resolved, their descendants will suffer. Yan Sanhe's job is to release the dead from their obsessions. One day, she gets hounded by Third Master Xie, who claims to have one. Yan Sanhe says she doesn't deal with the living. Third Master Xie replies, “Everyone says I won't live long. Just think of 125.4kReads9.6Score17k14d adds

    Reader note

    The content is novel and very good.

20. 20 上 Spring Poems from the Capital 上京春赋 Shi Munan十木南Ancient Romance300k WordsCompleted [Signed for print publication under the title Spring Rhapsody in the Capital] [Pure historical romance, not reborn + a long-planned scheme + a touch of coercive seduction + devoted pampering and flirting + emotional push and pull] [Completed; the original title was Spring Rhapsody in the Capital] [Sweet romance, both mutually inexperienced: brave and gentle young princess x sinister, fanatical powerful minister] A conspiracy landed Mo Yuan’s father and brother in prison, their lives at the mercy 71.6kReads9.3Score5.7k14d adds

    Reader note

    These books are all great! 👍👍

21. 21 与 Together with Hua Yan'er 与婳燕尔 Shi Munan十木南Ancient Romance334k WordsCompleted (The print edition is now available. Search the platform for A Pair of Swallows to purchase.) [Pure historical romance, not reborn + Marriage Before Love + One-Sided Salvation + Cherishing and Doting + Emotional Push and Pull] (Completed. Original title: A Pair of Swallows) [Sweet Romance, Both Leads Untainted: Gentle, Clever Noblewoman VS Dark, Ill-Tempered Prince] A marriage decree forced Yun Hua, the fourth daughter of the Yun family, to marry the Seventh Prince, Si Heng. The imperial edict c 25.8kReads9.3Score3.7k14d adds
22. 22 与 With Jin Chang’an (Based on the Screen Adaptation Starring Song Yi and Cheng Lei) 与晋长安（宋轶、丞磊主演影视原著） Jiu Lu Feixiang九鹭非香Ancient Romance155k WordsCompleted The hit drama starring Song Yi and Cheng Lei is now airing! A beloved historical romance by Jiu Lu Fei Xiang! Female general vs. puppy-like boy. The child she casually picked up turns out to have two sides? A cold little gentleman by day, a loyal black knight by night. Is he a puppy turning into a wolf, and which side is the real him? A tale of love and hate between a female general and the heir of an enemy state! Li Shuang, the adopted daughter of a great general, guards the borders of the Grea 5.8kReads9.6Score92914d adds
23. 23 缚 Bound by Spring 缚春情 Ren Huanyou任欢游Ancient Romance603k WordsCompleted [The print edition is available on the homepage; film and television rights have been sold] The Jiang and Song families have been close for generations, and Song Wan was betrothed to Jiang Xingjian before she was even born. They grew up together, but she was confined to the inner quarters, where everything she learned was meant to prepare her to become a Jiang family wife. The young man was dashing and ambitious. Before he had even turned twenty, he went off to the frontier to make his name. Bef 90.9kReads9.6Score12.1k14d adds
24. 24 夫 Madam, the Heir Has Been Plotting This for a Long Time 夫人，世子他蓄谋已久 Susu Qian Ci酥酥芊瓷Ancient Romance471k WordsCompleted [A devoted couple, sweet romance, childhood friends] (Complete! Originally titled The Lady, the Heir Apparent Has Been Plotting This for a Long Time) [Scheming, doting heir apparent VS beautiful, high-maintenance heir apparent’s wife] Lu Zhaozhao, the youngest legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Yunyang’s household, is adored by her parents and protected by her older siblings. She has grown up in comfort, with everything going her way. At sixteen, Lu Zhaozhao is a peerless beauty, and the thre 26.8kReads9.2Score2.9k14d adds
25. 25 寒 Cold Mist Shrouds the Towering Halls 寒烟锁重楼 Bai Weiqi白未栖Ancient Romance13k WordsCompleted Misty Smoke Locks the Tower —Reads—Score—14d adds
26. 26 长 A Long Farewell 长辞 Zhi Er织尔Ancient Romance102k WordsCompleted [Palace intrigue + tragic romance + both leads reborn] Another heartbreaking historical romance from Zhihu’s popular author Zhier, following An Ending at Dusk! Through a haze of consciousness, she relived her entire life, finally pausing on that sunny afternoon. He stood beneath a tree, his eyes covered with white cloth, smiling as he asked what she wanted. A young gentleman, handsome and refined as jade. One glance was enough to stay in her memory for years. If only she had known that meeting h 1.7kReads8.4Score21314d adds
27. 27 凡 A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality: Starting with a Tattered Book 凡人修仙：从一本破书开始 Two Moons Beneath the Clouds云下月成双Eastern Fantasy4.0M WordsCompleted No transmigration, no System, just traditional cultivation to immortality. Follow the protagonist as he rises from humble beginnings, step by step, to the pinnacle of the immortal path. The world knows that books hold beauties and golden houses, but no one ever imagined they might hold immortals, too. 12.9kReads8.6Score1.7k14d adds
28. 28 折 Snap Off a Crabapple Branch! 折棠枝！ Consort Xi熙贵妃Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Sisters switch marriages+the chase-back-to-win-her-heart trope+romantic rivalry+putting scumbags in their place; clear-eyed, scheming beauty X mad tyrant X aloof, powerful minister...] Short drama now available Jiang Wantang is the second legitimate daughter least favored by the current prime minister. With incomparable beauty and bewitching charm, she was abandoned in the wilderness and remained unknown to the world. Her elder legitimate sister was the moon in the sky; she was the mud beneath 9kReads8.9Score1.2k14d adds

    Reader note

    Both the male and female leads are intelligent.

29. 29 福 The Sweet and Beautiful Imperial Concubine: The Abstinent Fourth Prince Dotes on Her 福晋娇又美：禁欲四爷宠上瘾 Wan Bao妧宝Ancient Romance2.4M WordsCompleted [One devoted couple + sweet romance] Tong Jia Ning Chuge, the legitimate daughter of Longkodo, was getting married. But on her wedding day, a princess snatched her groom right off the street. The poor girl fell out of her bridal sedan and died on the spot! The woman protested, “I just got here, and a bunch of people are already laughing at me for being a discarded wife. I can’t stand for this!” Just as she was racking her brains for a way to put them in their place, an imperial edict from Empero 24.1kReads9.4Score2.3k14d adds

    Reader note

    I'll read this one and that one.

30. 30 天 The World’s First Bride 天下第一嫁 Moonrise in the Clouds月出云Ancient Romance624k WordsCompleted She was the greatest female scholar in the Celestial Dynasty and the first female official in the imperial court: Bai Suxuan. A merciless fire and the accusation that she had burned herself to death to evade punishment brought her back from hell. Three years later, she became Qin Jiu, the infamous demoness of the Tianchen Sect. She practices forbidden, heaven-defying arts, trains young men, seduces her imperial uncle, toys with powerful officials, brings down favored concubines, and bullies nobl 595Reads9.4Score10714d adds

    Reader note

    Abuse, abuse, abuse. .

31. 31 今 Joy Comes This Winter 今冬有喜 Spring Blossoms, Autumn Harvest春华秋实Ancient Romance186k WordsCompleted At that age when everyone hated her, the naive Zhou Fo'er fell in love with Xie Shu. Xie Shu was arrogant and utterly disdainful. Fo'er was absurd, and he scoffed at her. One day, Xie Shu said, “There's happy news this winter.” Fo'er replied, “I've never been happier.” 3.5kReads8.9Score39814d adds
32. 32 两 Two Lives of Joy: The Duke's Legitimate Daughter Is Truly Unrestrained 两世欢：公府嫡女她是真的狂 Dancing Sunflower跳舞的向日葵Ancient Romance667k WordsCompleted (Rebirth power fantasy + married across two lifetimes + palace and household intrigue + political machinations) Ye Liujin once thought she was the happiest young lady in Shengjing. Her aunt was just one step away from becoming empress. Her elder brother was the illustrious Duke of Shanguo, commanding an army of two hundred thousand, while her elder sister was a brave and battle-hardened warrior admired by all, both in court and beyond. She herself had been betrothed in infancy to the Third Princ 17.7kReads9.0Score4.6k14d adds

    Reader note

    Key points (Rebirth/Refreshing story + Two lifetimes of marriage + Palace intrigue + Power struggles), and most importantly, it's complete, including all the side stories. Ye Liujin once thought she was the happiest noblewoman in Shengjing. Her aunt was just one step away from becoming Empress, her brother was the illustrious Duke of Shan with an army of 200,000, and her elder sister was a valiant warrior admired by both the court and the public. She was even betrothed to the third prince, born to her aunt, while still an infant. Until that year, when her aunt died a violent death, her brother died suddenly, and her elder sister perished along with her unborn child, she learned that it was all a shocking conspiracy. Her aunt, who loved her dearly, was tricked by the Emperor into raising someone else's son, while her own flesh and blood disappeared! Her virtuous brother was murdered by the ungrateful third prince and the vicious second branch of the Duke of Shan's family. Her spirited elder sister was strangled by her husband's family to show her loyalty. Her childhood sweetheart, the third prince, had long been having an affair with his former best friend.

33. 33 余 I Devote My Life to the Nation, Asking Nothing of My Return 余生许国，不问归期 Shi Tu Jiu Jiu师荼九九Modern Romance19k WordsCompleted I Give My Life to My Country, Asking Nothing of My Return 1.3kReads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    It's finished! It's super good!

34. 34 月 The Moon Locked in the Tower 月锁重楼 Dreaming of a Radiant Smile梦欢颜Ancient Romance466k WordsCompleted No idiotic characters, no wish-fulfillment, no transmigration. A nostalgic romance with an aesthetic sensibility, vivid, cinematic scenes, heartbreaking love, devotion to country and family, plenty of sexual tension, dark and calculating characters, obsessive love, sweetness after hardship, hardship after sweetness, and romance woven through a diverse cast. If that sounds like your thing, come on in. 7Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    Classic tributes to Qiong Yao, treasured novels recommended

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